News and Updates

As the UK and Ireland's leading safety experts, we're delighted to have been awarded "Gold" status for sustainability by EcoVadis, positioning us as the highest UK performer in our industry.

Having been evaluated in four key areas, Arco was deemed to be in the 98th percentile of companies assessed. This is only one point away from a "Platinum" rating and an excellent 14% increase on Arco's previous EcoVadis rating.

Arco among world's top 5% in sustainability

EcoVadis is one of the world's most trusted providers of business sustainability ratings. They assessed Arco's activities across:

• Environment
• Labour & Human Rights
• Ethics
• Sustainable Procurement

Out of the 150,000 businesses assessed by EcoVadis, a result of 'Gold' puts Arco among the top 5% of performers globally. This outcome was helped by Arco's continued progress in sustainable performance, for example, reducing its carbon emissions by more than 20% over the past year.

Industry leaders for sustainability

EcoVadis commended Arco's positive action in several areas, commenting that its "...overall score has increased thanks to the publication of additional sustainability reporting" and that it had an "...advanced sustainability management system that covers all four themes under review".

In addition to company-wide efforts, individual staff contributions played a big part for EcoVadis. Whether this was as simple as cycling to work or the commitment and study needed to become one of Arco's team of accredited Mental Health First Aiders.

Arco's Head of Sustainability, Jim Harbidge, said:

"We're delighted to have been recognised for the excellent progress we continue to make. Sustainability is fundamental to our business, and it'll remain at the heart of our activities.

"We're also authentic in what we do - it's not just a box-ticking exercise. Arco genuinely cares about this topic and that translates into our products and how we treat our people, suppliers and customers. But with a review system that gets tougher each year, we'll work harder than ever to stay industry leaders in this field."

We are committed to sourcing better materials and supporting more sustainable production processes, to this end we work with specialist partners who offer help, guidance and expertise across the different technical and social fields.

Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety expert has opened its latest safety training centre in Hull, to serve businesses in the Yorkshire region and beyond. The new Hull based site is the latest investment in Arco's Professional Safety Services training facility, tailored to workers across a range of sectors including the highest risk industries.

This new practical training facility follows Arco's ongoing investment in its National Distribution Centre (NDC) site to develop its learning academy and brand new Customer Discovery Centre that brings together product expertise, training and industry collaboration under one roof.

Specialising in confined space and working at height "hands-on" training, the facility includes a confined space labyrinth and working at height with, safe access to the rooftop of our National Distribution Centre, alongside a multitude of classroom-based courses, increasing accessibility to critical safety education.

As part of the Arco Professional Safety Services offering, Arco also provide mobile confined space units for bespoke training in any location. Following Arco's £200,000 investment in 2023, these state of the art units can simulate risks in different environments for businesses across Yorkshire.

The new site also offers courses with a blended learning approach including:

• Classroom training in Arco's learning academy
• E-learning and video Conference
• Practical Training
• Virtual Reality Modules

Jamie Sadler, Commercial Director at Arco Professional Safety Services, said:

"We have invested significantly in our NDC site this year to make safety more accessible for our customers. This new centre of excellence demonstrates Arco's approach to the future of health and safety; putting innovation, convenience and high-standards at the forefront.

"Working at height and confined spaces remain the most dangerous environments and therefore they require expert training and support. Access to bespoke training that provides people with the correct skills and capabilities to carry out their work safely is essential. Whether it is equipment, training or support, our experienced teams offer a complete solution."

To view the full list of training courses available in Hull, please visit: https://www.arcoservices.co.uk/training

A change is happening - an evolution in performance workwear that's set to tear up the rulebook. And it starts with you...

Your environment. Your experience. Your needs. It's all part of your workplace DNA.

But are you ready to enhance it, every day? To go beyond comfort and style? To unleash your potential and perform better than ever?

We think you're ready for the evolution, view now.

Arco, the UK and Ireland's leading safety expert, opens its doors on a cutting-edge Customer Discovery Centre, marking a bold investment designed to transform customer experience and drive industry innovation.

This state-of-the-art facility brings together product expertise, advanced safety training, and industry collaboration under one roof. Designed to engage with customers and suppliers, the Discovery Centre showcases Arco's integrated safety solutions featuring its independent UKAS accredited Product Assurance Lab with a dedicated space for product innovation.

As part of this investment, Arco has also expanded its training offering with a brand-new practical training facility, broadening its national coverage of training centres for workers in the highest risk industries. Specialising in confined space and working at height "hands-on" training alongside a multitude of classroom-based courses, this Safety Services centre of excellence increases accessibility to critical safety education.

With three flexible learning spaces, innovative displays, and cutting-edge technology, the Discovery Centre is designed to adapt to the needs of customers and colleagues alike, making it a premier destination for training, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.

Now operational, customers can explore the latest advancements in safety, PPE and workwear, undertake training courses and receive expert guidance on product selection and development under one roof.

CEO of Arco, Guy Bruce said:

"We're thrilled to open our new state of the art Customer Discovery Centre. It's our way of giving customers fresh inspiration and ultimate safety confidence day in day out.

"By investing in world-class facilities and smarter ways to engage with our customers, this is more than an upgrade to our services, it's a strategic shift in how our customers interact with Arco and how our safety solutions are developed, shared, and experienced. The future of safety is here, and this immersive space truly demonstrates the value available to all customers when they have the best in the safety business at their side. We're looking forward to hosting our customers and partners here for years to come."

Learn more about our Arco Discovery Centre

Arco, the UK and Irelands leading safety expert, is returning to the Health & Safety Event to unveil a new generation of workwear and safety products designed with enhanced features, fabrics and modern styling.

Arco's interactive exhibition can be found on Stand S70 in Hall 3 and is designed for visitors to explore Arco's latest product innovations, training support, expert advice, compliance and sustainability initiatives. All areas on the stand demonstrate Arco's unrivalled end-to-end safety expertise, its market-leading position and commitment to shaping the future of workwear and workplace safety.

Also featured at the event will be an exclusive preview of the brand-new Arco Discovery Centre, a state-of-the-art showcase of Arco's cutting-edge safety services, immersive training courses and innovative partnerships.

Part of Arco's new product generation, which will be exclusively on display, includes its brand-new High-Visibility Range, designed for maximum durability and compliance in line with the latest industry standards, as well as an advanced Working at Height Range, featuring cutting-edge harnesses and fall protection equipment. The latest evolution of the TROJAN performance workwear range, incorporating enhanced protective materials and innovatively styled designs that improve comfort and functionality in work environments, will also be put to the test with a dynamic, live show that visitors will see around the exhibition hall.

This year, Arco will be sponsoring the "Inspiration Station", a new thought leadership driven platform where industry pioneers will address the future of the health and safety industry. Arco experts will take the stage to discuss pivotal topics including:

• The Total Cost of Safety - exploring how effective safety management protects profits and derisks businesses
• PPE sustainability and practical steps in procurement - comprehensive look at improving circularity and sustainability whilst reducing costs in procurement
• Thai Cave Rescue - First-hand experience from the famous Thai Cave Rescue, detailing the risk management involved in the successful rescue of 13 people trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non cave system

The Total Cost of Safety presentation at the Inspiration Station will be delivered by Chief Commercial Officer Simon Allan-Brooks and will encourage businesses to revisit health and safety strategies at work. Business leaders will hear of the benefits in comprehensive safety management, including meeting deadlines, enhancing reputation and maximising productivity.

Ahead of the event, Arco has been shortlisted in three categories for the upcoming 2025 Safety and Health Excellence Awards. Arco is nominated for: Distributor of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year and the Alan McArthur Unsung Hero Award. As the inaugural sponsor of the Sustainable Company of the Year award in 2024, Arco returns to sponsor and judge this important category in 2025. The winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will take place on the second night of the three-day Health & Safety Event.

Simon Allan-Brooks, Chief Commercial Officer at Arco, said:

"Last year, Arco returned to the Health & Safety Event to showcase our joined-up approach to safety. We connected with professionals from Directors to Procurement Officers in all key industries such as manufacturing, construction and facilities management.

This year, we're taking it a step further by unveiling the latest developments within Arco's product innovation alongside our full suite of safety services. Our continued progress in developing our expertise and expanding our product offering places us in a position to provide more comprehensive end-to-end solutions as a key strategic partner to our customers.

"Our commitment to workplace safety has never been stronger, and we're excited to share our latest advancements with the industry. We invite all attendees to visit our stand, connect with our experts and join us in shaping the future of health and safety."